***Guest Appearance
Credits to:
https://www.youtube.com/@whynotre
“Why Not? Real Estate Podcast – Jay Conner”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cjoUrmu89c
If you’re a real estate investor or aspiring to become one, you know the age-old challenge: finding the funds to finance your deals. The traditional route—knocking on the doors of banks and hard money lenders—is fraught with red tape, credit checks, rigid terms, and, occasionally, heartbreak. But what if there was another way to secure capital that gives you more control, flexibility, and freedom to scale your business? Enter private money—a method that Jay Conner, known as the “Private Money Authority,” has mastered over 20 years and more than 475 deals.
Recently, Jay Conner sat down with Brian Lucier on the “Why Not Real Estate” podcast to share his journey from the mobile home industry to building a seven-figure real estate business and becoming a private money evangelist. Here are some of the most impactful takeaways from their lively conversation.
From Mobile Homes to Real Estate Mogul
Jay’s entry into real estate wasn’t by accident. Raised by a developer father, he was surrounded by conversations about business, finance, and property development from a young age. By 12, Jay was already helping vet credit histories for home buyers—a skill set that would serve him well later. But when the mobile home industry’s financing dried up in the early 2000s, Jay pivoted decisively into real estate flipping.
Inspired by friends who successfully made $30,000 in their first flip, Jay realized the potential gains in single-family housing were far greater than the margins he was chasing in manufactured housing.
The Game-Changing Crisis of 2009
For the first six years of his real estate career, Jay did what most investors do: he went to the bank, pleaded for loans, and built his operations around institutional funding. All that came to a halt in January 2009, when his bank cut off his lines of credit—a scenario painfully familiar to many seasoned investors.
But instead of packing it in, Jay saw this crisis as his catalyst. “Who do I know that can help me fix this problem?” he asked himself. That led him to discover the world of private money—ordinary individuals looking for secure and solid returns outside of Wall Street. In 90 days, Jay raised over $2 million in private capital and never looked back.
What is Private Money?
Unlike hard money or bank loans, private money comes from individuals—often within your existing network—who want to invest their capital for stable, attractive returns. Instead of you chasing the lender’s criteria, you set the rules: interest rates, terms, and how deals are structured. And because it’s relationship-driven, private money fosters trust and repeat business.
Jay emphasizes that raising private money isn’t about asking for a handout or “pitching” a deal in desperation. It’s about education—teaching friends, colleagues, and acquaintances about safe, asset-backed opportunities where everyone wins.
Key Lessons for Investors
- Have Multiple Exit Strategies: Jay’s first piece of hard-earned advice is never to rely on a single exit plan. Whether you’re flipping or holding for rental, know your numbers and have options. If you get stuck with a property, you need a plan B (or C).
- Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions: Success in private money is built on trust. Teach potential lenders the value of your opportunity and let them choose to participate.
- Automate and Systematize: Jay has automated his business to run in less than 10 hours a week. The secret? Focus on what you do best, delegate, and trust your team and systems.
- Always Be Learning: Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, seek mentors who’ve made mistakes and kept going. Read widely and invest in your personal growth.
Conclusion
Jay Conner’s story is living proof that the biggest obstacles in real estate investing can become turning points to greater success—if you know how to access funding creatively. By embracing private money, you put yourself in the driver’s seat, unlock more opportunities, and, best of all, build lasting relationships that benefit everyone involved.
Ready to start your journey? As Jay says, the most dangerous number in business is “one”—one lender, one deal, one exit strategy. Diversify, educate, and take action. A world of opportunities awaits!
10 Discussion Questions from this Episode:
- Jay Conner emphasized the importance of having multiple exit strategies when investing in real estate. Why do you think relying on a single exit strategy is risky, and how can having a plan B or C protect an investor?
- The shift from relying on banks to raising private money was a turning point in Jay’s career. What are the main advantages of using private money versus traditional bank loans or hard money lenders?
- Jay describes how he introduces private lending opportunities to his network without ever “pitching” a deal or asking for money. What aspects of his approach do you find most effective or surprising?
- Both guests discussed the importance of cash flow analysis—even on properties intended for a quick flip. How can running the rental numbers in advance benefit an investor, and have you had personal experiences with this?
- Mentorship played a significant role in Jay’s success. What qualities did he highlight as essential when choosing a mentor, and how has mentorship (or the lack thereof) impacted your own investing journey?
- Jay shared the story of his biggest recent deal—an oceanfront condo deal netting $160,000 in about two months. What key systems or relationships does he attribute to making deals like this possible?
- The concept of “dictate, delegate, disappear, and automate” is central to Jay’s business model. How do you feel about delegating tasks, and what are the biggest challenges in giving up control as an entrepreneur?
- Both Jay and Brian talk about the value of “leading with a servant’s heart” and giving back to others. In what ways do you think service-mindedness contributes to long-term success in real estate?
- Jay mentioned the psychological concept of “loss aversion” and how fear of loss can be a stronger motivator than the desire for gain. How can real estate investors use this understanding to make better decisions or motivate themselves?
- After listening to Jay’s advice for new investors—including getting a coach and focusing on first-time homebuyer price points—what steps do you think are most crucial for someone just starting in real estate today?
Fun facts that were revealed in the episode:
- Jay Conner started learning about financing at age 12
Jay got his first taste of the finance world as a kid, working summers in his dad’s mobile home business, making credit approval calls before his voice had even changed! - Jay raised over $2 million in private money in just 90 days.
When traditional bank loans dried up in 2009, Jay pivoted quickly and raised $2.15 million from private individuals in less than three months—without ever asking anyone directly for money. - Jay’s most impressive recent deal netted $160,000 in about two months.
He purchased an oceanfront condo in Atlantic Beach, NC, for $425,000, fixed it up for just $11,000, and sold it for $615,000—making a six-figure profit thanks to private money lending and some creative marketing!
Timestamps:
00:01 Real Estate Insights with Brian Luce and Jay Conner
08:21 Quick Flip Profit: $30K in 90 Days
13:58 Real Estate Influences Beyond Dad?
17:09 Questioning Entrepreneurial Drive
22:53 Funding Deals without Pitches
30:23 Note Length Based on Funding Source
36:53 Reflecting on 22 Years in Real Estate
38:06 Multiple Real Estate Exit Strategies
48:24 Focus on First-Time Buyer Market
50:45 Inherited Property Sold Online
55:58 Real Estate Success Essentials
01:00:33 AI-Powered Home Distress Finding
01:06:15 Expanding Impact Through Podcasting
01:11:47 Private Money Conference Overview
https://www.ThePrivateMoneyConference.com
Free Report:
https://www.jayconner.com/MoneyReport
Join the Private Money Academy:
https://www.JayConner.com/trial/
Have you read Jay’s new book, Where to Get the Money Now?
It is available FREE (all you pay is the shipping and handling) at
https://www.JayConner.com/Book
What is Private Money? Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner
https://www.JayConner.com/MoneyPodcast
Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. He maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $67,000 per deal without using his money or credit.
What is Real Estate Investing? Live Private Money Academy Conference
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https://www.youtube.com/c/RealEstateInvestingWithJayConner
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https://www.facebook.com/jay.conner.marketing
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